HEAD TEACHER’S REPORT

Spring 2014

Governors Meeting – 26th March 2014

This report is for the period 23rd November 2013 to 21st March 2014

Introduction

 Christmas Events – Dinner, Infant Productions and Carol Services were enjoyed by all.  There has been one Teacher Training day on Monday 6th January.  Parents’ Evenings took place on 26th and 27th February.  The school census was submitted for the Spring Term on Thursday 16th January with no issues. New to the census was the collation of pupils eligible for pupil premium under the new regulations.  The Breakfast Club average number of pupils per day has increased from 12 to 15.  Mrs Frow has mentored a Leicester University PGCE student for his second placement in our Year 5 and 6 Class for 6 weeks.

 Ofsted data shows the children attained and progressed in the top 20% for a majority of subjects.  The classes continue to be well supported by Ancillary, LSA and TA staff and staff continue to receive a good level of in-service training. School Data

Attendance Attendance for the Autumn Term was 95.1%.

In 2013, the attendance rate at this school was 95.7%. The attendance rate has increased by 0.8 percentage points since 2012. The attendance rate is in the top 40% of all schools.

Weekly attendance is monitored, however, due to sickness absences these are no longer announced in assembly and the half termly competition has now finished.

Foxton Primary School Page 2 Attainment and Achievement Data 2013

Ofsted Dashboards – Key Stage 1

Foxton Primary School Page 3 Ofsted Dashboards – Key Stage 2

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Foxton Primary School Page 5 Child Protection The Head Teacher is the designated teacher for Child Protection with the Chair of Governors, Mr Neil Stout, in support as the nominated Governor with responsibility for Child Protection. Susanne Simkins is trained to cover if the Head Teacher is not available.

Health & Safety The annual fire alarm and emergency light testing took place on Tuesday 14th January – No problems were reported.

Regular fire alarm tests have resulted in no problems being highlighted and during practices children and staff evacuate the building in a prompt and calm manner.

The annual test and inspection of the schools fire extinguishers took place on Tuesday 25th February, with no problems although there was a suggestion that an additional fire extinguisher covers were purchased.

The annual Height and Weight Measurement for the Reception and Year 6 children took place Wednesday 8th January 2014.

The Healthy Schools Quality Assurance Group has accepted and recorded that we have successfully self-validated against the Whole School Review. This means that we have provided evidence that our school has maintained the universal provision for health and wellbeing put in place through the school achieving National Healthy School Status. We are committed to healthier living and learning. To move to the next stage of the Healthy Schools process – Healthy Schools Enhancement.

Premises On Monday 20th January AECOM completed a survey of the school on behalf of Leicestershire County Council for the purpose of ensuring the schools valuation was correct.

The annual asbestos survey was completed on 13th March.

Following work in the Summer Holidays to have the school water system to be connected directly to the mains, the cisterns in the children’s washrooms the toilets continued to experience leakage throughout the Autumn and Spring Term despite continued maintenance. This has now been resolved by refurbishment.

Mr Clark met with Philip Broughton from Leicester County Council to review the schools Health & Safety policy and procedures.

Various quotes have been received regarding the building of a new cloakroom on the side of the school. When finances allow this project will go ahead.

The annual review of the School Inventory has been checked and audited by Dr P Few.

During half term work was carried out by contractors from Leicestershire County Council on the school roof in particular the area above the interactive whiteboard following a leak.

A drain cover has been replaced on the front playground.

The door handles have been replaced on the entrance to the main school.

L.C.C. electricians are currently replacing the external light switches as they have corroded.

Foxton Primary School Page 6 New Starters and Leavers

There has been one new starter in Year 2 since the last Head Teacher Report and one pupil has left Year 3 due to relocation.

The Current structure of the school:

Class Year No. Total No.

Fox Cubs 17

Rabbit Year 1 10 26 Year 2 16 Otter Year 3 10 26 Year 4 16

Badger Year 5 12 20 Year 6 8

Numbers on Roll The School opened for the Spring Term on 7th January with 89 children on roll.

Racist Incidents There have been no incidences since the last Head Teacher report.

Bullying There have been no bullying incidences since the last Head Teacher report. The previous incident has now been satisfactory resolved. Personnel

Support Staff The school now employing a Business Manager with effect from 1st March 2014, in lieu of a Bursar. Mrs Oakley who was appointed to the role of L.S.A. and Lunchtime Supervisor, starting work on 7th January 2014 replacing Mr Archer-Dutton who left in December 2013. Any additional support is agreed as overtime as and when required.

Teaching Staff

The new classroom arrangements continue to be working well. There have been no changes to the teaching structure which remains as follows, with Mr Clark continuing to teach three full days every two weeks:

Fox Cubs Foundation Mrs Hanger Rabbits Year 1 & 2 Mrs Bellamy & Mrs Simkins Otters Year 3 & 4 Mrs Sillifant & Mrs Foster (& Mrs Whitehead for French) Badgers Year 5 & 6 Mrs Whitehead, Mr Clark & Mrs Frow

From 20th January until 7th March, a period of 6 weeks, Mr J Hunter worked in Year 5 & 6, as part of his teacher training course, with support from Mrs Frow.

Foxton Primary School Page 7 Performance Management The Performance Management Committee with the support Sue Wood conducted the Head Teacher’s Performance Management on Wednesday, 27th November 2014.

All teachers received a lesson observation by the end of the Autumn Term. All lessons were judged to be of a good standard. All teachers had met with Mr Clark on January 6th to review pupil progress targets. In-service Training & Meetings Staff training continues to be provided in order to ensure that everyone is fully able to support the school curriculum strategies and improvement plan. The table does not include meetings with parents, or any internal meetings between staff i.e. planning, performance management or staff meetings.

Date Title Name 27/11/13 EYFS Update P Clark

S Hanger

05/12/13 Rich Mathematics in Year 3 & 4 L Foster

R Sillifant

05/12/13 More Able Meeting A Thurlby

21/01/14 Academies Presentation P Clark

27/01/14 Gymnastics Workshop S Hanger

30/01/14 Leicestershire Primary Heads P Clark

03/02/14 Academies P Clark

Head Teacher Briefings P Clark

04/02/14 R.E. Meeting S Hanger

06/02/14 Academies Meeting P Clark

07/02/14 NPQML K Frow

11/02/14 Internet Safety Conference K Frow

13/02/14 Head Teacher Briefings P Clark

DG15 Meeting P Clark

25/02/14 KS2 Writing Moderation R Sillifant

27/02/14 KS2 – Year 6 Statutory Requirements Z Whitehead

05/03/14 Academies Meeting P Clark

EYFS S Hanger

06/03/14 Maths Subject Leaders P Clark

Read, Write Inc. A Oakley

W Thompson

07/02/14 Read, Write Inc. A Oakley

W Thompson

11/03/14 Maths Subject Co-ordinators R Sillifant

L Foster

12/03/14 New Curriculum Science Workshop P Clark

13/03/14 P.E. Conference A Bellamy

P Clark

17/03/14 SENCONET Meeting S Simkins

Foxton Primary School Page 8 Secondary Schools

Kibworth High School Following consultation Kibworth High School have changed their admissions to the following:

1st Children who are in public care and those children who were previously looked after children.

2nd Children living in the catchment areas (as defined on 1.11.13.) of Church of Primary School, Kibworth Church of England Primary School, Great Glen St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School, irrespective of whether they attend one of these schools. 3rd Children attending Fleckney Church of England Primary School, Kibworth Church of England Primary School, Great Glen St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School for at least 2 years, but who do not live in the catchment areas of Fleckney, Kibworth or Great Glen. 4th Pupils who have a serious medical condition or exceptional social or domestic needs that make it essential they attend the school requested. (Professional documentation confirming the situation must be submitted with the application). 5th Siblings of children who will be attending Kibworth High School at the same time and living at the same home address. 6th Pupils living nearest to the school measured in a straight line distance (home to school front gate).

Additionally, they have adopted the new local authority admissions policy to keep their Admissions Number at 150, but remove the cap. In accordance with the adopted LA policy, they will then “overfill” (i.e. go over 150), but at Year 6/7 transfer only in order to take all pupils who live in the catchment area defined above, subject to proof of residence.

Welland Park Following consultation now have the following primary schools as having ‘feeder status’ to Welland Park Academy: Great Bowden; Little Bowden; Farndon Fields; Meadowdale; St Joseph’s; Church of England; Ridgeway; Lubenham; Foxton; Church Langton and Billesdon. If applications exceed available spaces for Welland Park Academy, priority will be given to children in the appropriate age-range, whose parents applied on time, in the following order:

1st Children who are in public care and those children who were previously looked after children. 2nd Pupils who live in the catchment area as of 1st September 2014. 3rd Pupils who will have an older brother or sister attending the same school at the same time. 4th Pupils who have a serious medical condition or exceptional social or domestic needs that make it essential they attend the school requested. (Professional documentation confirming the situation must be submitted with the application.) 5th Pupils who will have attended a feeder school for at least two years before the time of transfer. 6th Pupils transferring to high school who will have an older brother or sister attending the linked upper school at the same time. 7th Pupils living nearest to the school measured in a straight line distance (home to school front gate).

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The following was received from Welland Park Academy and the Robert Smyth Academy at the beginning of March:

“Building upon our successful history of collaborative working we are both now considering the following model to commence in September 2016:

Changing age ranges of both academies simultaneously so that Welland Park Academy would change from 11 – 14 to 11 – 16, and Robert Smyth Academy would change from 14 – 19 to 11 – 19, both for Admissions 2016. The total numbers in each academy would initially be similar to the current Pupil Admission Number with a shared catchment area.

As always, we intend to work together to offer the best possible outcomes for our students and feel this proposal offers the following benefits:

• Completely removing the transition between Key Stage 3 and 4 in each academy, facilitating a continuity of relationships with students, teachers and parents/carers. • This continuity should increase attainment and progress outcomes by building upon solid foundations created at key stage 3 and reducing the need for resources currently deployed in the physical transition between schools. This will lead to a further improvement of standards through key stages 3 – 5. • Increased choice for students and parents for key stages 3 and 4. • Opportunities to enhance partnership working across the key stages. • Managing projected population growth with investments in the current infrastructure provided by both secondary schools. • Improved recruitment and retention of staff with a greater range of key stages offered by both academies.”

A full consultation of all stakeholders will be conducted in summer 2014. The governors at both academies will take all views into consideration when making their decision. If anyone wishes to share their thoughts or make their views known before the formal consultation period then they welcome communication by e-mail or by representation.

Foxton Primary School Page 10 Extra Curriculum

Clubs The opportunity for the children to join clubs and activities continues throughout the Spring Term.

Day Activity Time No. Organised by Recorder Lunchtime 6 Mrs Ireland Monday Gardening After School 12 Mrs Hanger & Mrs Bellamy After School 15 Igor Mirkovic Tuesday Recorder Lunchtime 8 Mrs Ireland

Netball After School 8 Mrs Hanger Football After School 8 Mr Clark Go Active After School 12 External Club

Wednesday Recorder Lunchtime 7 Mrs Ireland

Multi-Sport After School 8 External Club

Thursday Maths Magic After School 10 External Club

Science Club After School 10 External Club (now finished)

Friday Recorder Lunchtime 6 Mrs Ireland

F.D.S. Football After School 14 External Club

Recorders The recorder group were again invited to play at the Foxton Village Christmas Fair on Saturday, 7th December at the Robert Monk Hall, ably led by Mrs Ireland.

Gardening Club Mrs Bellamy and Mrs Hanger continue to run the Gardening Club on Monday after school.

Go Active This club has now been in operation for a year at Foxton and continues to focus on a mixture of dance, drama and multi sports.

Maths Magic The Maths Magic Club attended an assembly on Monday, 3rd February and the club started after half-term on Thursday, 27th February for 6 weeks.

Football F.D.S. continues to provide a football club on Friday after school and on Friday, 29th November they presented medals to some of the pupils who attend.

Multi Sports Numbers are consistent and therefore the club continues run on.

Netball and Football Team Training Netball and Football team training continues after school on Tuesdays.

Foxton Primary School Page 11 Basketball Igor Mirkovic continues to teach Year 5 and 6 on Monday afternoons for an hour. The take up for the afterschool club has increased from doubled with an average of 15 pupils per session this term.

Peripatetic Music Jenny Goldsworthy from Leicestershire Arts in Education continues to work with the Year 4 and 5 children every Wednesday for an hour. Our string orchestra comprises of violins, cellos and a double base. The Year 4 and 5s performed a Christmas song in assembly on Wednesday, 18th December. A further strings performance has been arranged for Wednesday 9th April for parents.

In addition two children continue to receive music lessons from a peripatetic teacher, both playing the violin.

Children in Year 3 and 6, who are not part of the orchestra, are learning to play the ukulele with Mrs Sillifant.

Sports

Basketball On Monday, 3rd February Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a basketball tournament at the Robert Smyth Academy.

Cross Country The first race of the season was due to take place on Thursday, 30th January but was cancelled due to a water logged course. The second race was held on Thursday, 27th February in which 8 children took part. The final race is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 27th March.

Mini Paralympics On Thursday, 20th March 9 children from Class 3 accompanied Mr Clark to a mini Paralympics event hosted by The Robert Smyth Academy.

Tag Rugby During this Spring Term, a coach from Leicester Tigers Rugby Club has been working with Year 1 & 2 and Year 3 & 4 on Thursday afternoons. In addition Year 5 and 6 took part in a Tag Rugby Tournament held at Church Langton Primary School on Friday, 28th February.

Uni Hoc Tournaments On Monday, 2nd December pupils the Year 3 & 4 and on Monday, 3rd March pupils in Year 5 & 6 pupils were involved in an after school Uni Hoc Tournaments hosted at the Robert Smyth Academy.

Events, Trips and Visitors

Events

Fire Safety Presentations The Year 1 and Year 5 pupils took part in this event on Wednesday, 4th December.

Foxton Primary School Page 12 Infant Production This year the pupils in Fox Cubs and Year 1 & 2 gave two performances of The Christmas Factory on Tuesday, 17th December and Wednesday, 18th December which were well attended by parents, family and friends.

Christmas Card Competition Wendy Philp presented Thomas Hopkins with his prize for winning a design a Christmas Card competition. Over 300 cards were printed and sent to all school kitchens and old people’s homes.

Carol Service The annual carol service took place at St Andrews Church Foxton on the afternoon of Friday, 20th December, led by the Rev. I Gemmell. As was customary parents, family and friends were also invited to the event and the Friends of the Church provided refreshments afterwards.

Primary Science Conference On Saturday, 25th January children in Years 4 – 6 were offered the opportunity to attend the annual Primary Science Conference held at the Robert Smyth Academy. Eleven pupils attended along with Mr Clark who delivered one of the workshops.

Bag2School The biannual F.S.A. Bag2School event took place in February raising funds for the school.

Heart Link The school held a non uniform day on Friday, 7th February to raise money for the charity ‘Heart Link’.

Quiz Night The F.S.A. held a quiz night on Tuesday, 18th March at the Black Horse, Foxton which was well attended and raised £200.

Work Book Day On Thursday, 6th March the school participated in world book day by the children and staff dressing up as characters from their favourite books.

R.E. Mrs Hanger, with the support of Mrs Shapiro, organised for the whole school to take part in celebrating the Spring Festival of Holi on Friday, 21st March.

Class Assemblies On Friday, 13th December Year 5 & 6 presented an assembly about their Kenya topic. On Friday, 14th February Year 1 & 2 presented an assembly about their America topic.

School Dinners Jenny McAllister continues to promote healthy eating and encourage the children to eat school meals. The take up for the Christmas dinner was a record 98 servings, including Governors and Staff. Since then we have had Chinese New Year, World Book Day and Pancake Day Meals as well as the Easter Dinner being booked for the last week of the Spring Term.

Foxton Primary School Page 13 Trips

Able Writers Four children from Year 5 and 6 along with Mrs Thurlby attended the Able Writers Workshop hosted by St. Cuthbert’s, Great Glen on Thursday, 13th March.

Beaumanor In order to explore the topic of Victorians further children in Year 1 and 2 dressed up and spent the day at Beaumanor Hall on Tuesday, 10th December.

Foxton On Thursday, 20th March, as part of her work with Foxton Parish Council, Mrs Fox took four pupils from Year 5 & 6 on a walk around Foxton taking photographs.

Leicester Museum On Friday, 6th December Year 3 & 4 pupils spent the day at the New Walk Museum taking part in an Egyptians workshop.

Musical Concert The Year 6 pupils attended a musical production at The Welland Park Academy on the afternoon of Thursday, 19th December.

R.E. On Tuesday, 18th March Mrs Hanger took 4 pupils to the Children’s Conference at Rawlings Community College.

Visitors

HFT Charity On Wednesday, 19th March the school was pleased to invite the HFT group into school who spent the afternoon working in the Sensory Garden.

ICT James Martin our current I.T. Technician paid the school a visit on Tuesday, 10th December. No further visits have been scheduled. In addition, Dave Newby a computer technician met with Mr Clark on Thursday, 30th January to discuss the school ongoing technical support requirements.

Kibworth High School On Monday, 17th March Year 6 pupils were given a talk by Maggie McCann from Kibworth High School at the same time Mrs Frow met with Mr Fearon to discuss the programme for transition.

SEN Katie Packston, trainee Education Psychologist, was in school to observe the pupils.

The Speech and Language Specialist teaching service visited the school on Tuesday, 17th December for observations of one pupil.

On Wednesday, 8th January Anne Matthews, our link Education Psychologist, attended the weekly staff meeting as well as meeting with the family of one of the pupils.

Foxton Primary School Page 14 On Tuesday, 4th March Dawn Adams from Vision Support Services came into school for observations of one pupil and also met with Mrs Simkins.

Welland Park Academy Year 5 children are receiving German lessons on Tuesday mornings from Mr B Attelmann from Welland Park Academy.

Parental Involvement

Assemblies Parents and family continue to be invited to monthly Achievement Assemblies and the level of attendance is good. The F.S.A. provides refreshments before each assembly and their Cake Raffle continues. Rev. Ian Gemmel continues to foster a good working relationship with the school and led a number of assemblies during the Spring Term.

Spelling On Friday, 22nd November parents were invited into school to see the different methods we use when teaching the children to spell. An information booklet was provided for parents.

School Calendar On Thursday, 28th November, the whole school participated in the now annual photo shoot for the school calendar.

Maths Games On Wednesday, 4th December parents were invited into Year 1 & 2 to play some maths games.

Gardening Club A gardening morning was held on Sunday, 9th February to which parents, helpers and children were invited. Mr Bootheway delivered a trailer load of compost which was spread over the garden.

Reports A coffee afternoon with Mr Clark and Mrs Frow was held on Monday, 10th March enabling parents/carers to give their views and feedback on two topics the recent ‘Parents’ Evening’ and ‘Annual Reports to Parents’. Further meetings will be held later on in the year.

Maths On Friday, 7th March a two presentations were given to parents at 3.30pm and 6.30pm on the ‘Written Calculation Methods for Mathematics’.

Read Write Inc A meeting was held in school on Thursday 13th March for all parents/carers on the Read Write Inc scheme in particular ‘Talk for Writing’.

Festival of Holi There was an opportunity for parents/carers to learn all about the festival of Holi on Thursday, 20th March; when a video was shown after school by Mrs Hanger in the Fox Cubs Classroom.

Foxton Primary School Page 15 Volunteers Mrs Few continues to visit the school working with individual children and supporting in classes. Mrs Bootheway and Mrs Lawrence assist with Golden Time activities and Mrs Yarwood and Mrs Orton have recently begun working with the Fox Cubs. Isabel Cridland, a sixth form pupil from , continues to work with pupils in Year 6 every Tuesday afternoon.

Signed: ______Date: ______P Clark Head Teacher

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